New generation of drivers look to leasing for premium autos

Leasing makes monthly payments on higher-end models more affordable

Leasing premium automobiles is proving to be popular option among a new generation of car owners.

According to a recent report, consumers between the age of 18 and 34 -- known as Millennials -- are more likely to lease cars than Gen Xers or Baby Boomers. That said, all three demographic segments are showing a renewed interest in leasing as an option when purchasing a new vehicle.

Millennials turned to leasing for almost 30 per cent of all new car purchases in 2015. That compares to about 27 per cent for the entire U.S. population.

Millennials are also leasing more than ever, up almost 46 per cent over the past five years. Across all generations, about 42 per cent more cars are being leased in 2015 compared to 2010.

The report is based on analysis by Edmunds, a leading automotive information company.

"Most Millennials understand and accept that they're on a tight budget and that they need to stick to it," Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds.com director of industry analysis, announced earlier this summer. "But it doesn't mean that their financial constraints limit them only to the most basic vehicles to get from Point A to Point B. If they see a chance to get into a nicer car while staying within their budget, they're likely to explore that opportunity. In most cases, leasing opens the door to the bells and whistles that they couldn't otherwise afford."

Leasing is typically a more affordable way for people to be able to drive more luxurious vehicles and is often preferred by people who don’t want to be financially committed to the same car for the long-term.

After reviewing car registration data, Edmunds’ analysts found that 28.9 per cent of all new cars were purchased by Millennials through leasing.

Crunching the numbers even more, Edmunds showed that youthful shoppers have a ceiling on how much of their monthly budget they’re willing to spend on their automobile. A survey conducted by Edmunds and the research firm Morpace found that 57 per cent of Millennials will only pay $2,999 for a down payment on a new car while 54.9 per cent will only pay $299 per month on a purchase. Shopping for a car with those constraints essentially limits the choice to new models that are less than $20,000. However, by leasing, budget-conscious consumers can stretch the same $2,999 down payment and monthly $299 payments to afford premium automobiles priced as high as $35,000.